Adjustable base assembly

ABSTRACT

An adjustable base assembly for selectively adjusting the horizontal and vertical position of a fabricating tool such as a punch or metal forming tool. The apparatus includes a generally planar base and a carriage assembly positioned on the base. The carriage assembly includes a lower wedge plate assembly having an upper surface defining a pair of upwardly converging wedge faces, an upper wedge plate assembly having a lower surface defining a pair of downwardly converging wedge faces, a pair of wedge blocks each having converging upper and lower wedge faces for respective sliding engagement with one of the upwardly converging wedge faces and one of the downwardly covering wedge faces, and a vertical adjustment screw mounted on the lower wedge plate, passing through the wedge blocks, and including left and right threaded portions for respective threaded coaction with a left threaded bore in one of the wedge blocks and a right threaded bore in the other wedge block. Rotation of the screw moves the wedge blocks toward or away from each other to raise or lower the upper wedge plate relative to the lower wedge plate. The carriage is moved horizontally relative to the base plate by a horizontal adjustment screw passing through a threaded bore in the lower wedge plate with the horizontal movement of the carriage on the base plate being facilitated by linear roller bearings interposed between the base plate and the lower wedge plate.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/867,482 filed on Apr.13, 1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to base assemblies for fabricating tools and moreparticularly to a base assembly that may be readily adjusted in aplurality of directions to selectively position the associatedfabricating tool.

When utilizing fabricating tools such as punches or metal formers it isimportant that the tool be precisely positioned relative to theworkpiece and it is often necessary to vary the positioning of the toolbecause of variations in the relative positions of the individualworkpieces or because of variances in the dimensions of individualworkpiece. This adjustment is typically performed by the use of shims orwedge pieces of varying thicknesses so that, by selecting theappropriate precise thickness of shim or wedge piece, the fabricatingtool can be precisely positioned relative to the workpiece. Whereas thisprocedure results in accurate positioning of the fabricating apparatusrelative to the workpiece, it is extremely time consuming and requires arather high skill level on the part of the person making the adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to the provision of an adjustable baseassembly for readily adjusting the position of a fabricating toolrelative to a workpiece.

More specifically, this invention is directed to the provision of anadjustable base assembly which may be readily adjusted in a plurality ofdirections to readily adjust the position of the associated fabricatingtool.

The invention adjustable base assembly includes a generally planar baseand a carriage assembly positioned on the base. The carriage assemblyincludes a lower wedge plate assembly having an upper surface defining apair of upwardly converging wedge faces; an upper wedge plate assemblyhaving a lower surface defining a pair of downwardly converging wedgesurfaces; a pair of wedge blocks each having converging upper and lowerwedge faces for respective sliding engagement with one of the upwardlyconverging wedge faces and one of the downwardly converging wedge faces;means defining a left threaded bore in one of the wedge blocks, meansdefining a right threaded bore in the other of the wedge blocks; avertical adjustment screw mounted on the lower wedge plate assembly,passing through the bores, and having left and right threaded portionsfor respective threaded engagement with the left and right threadedbores; and means precluding axial movement of the screw relative to thelower wedge plate assembly so that rotation of the screw moves the wedgeblocks toward and away from each other to raise or lower the upper wedgeplate assembly relative to the lower wedge plate assembly. The carriageis mounted on the base for horizontal movement in a direction generallytransverse to the axis of the vertical adjustment screw so that theupper wedge plate assembly may be adjusted vertically by rotation of thevertical adjustment screw and may be adjusted horizontally by movementof the carriage on the base.

According to a further feature of the invention, the means mounting thecarriage on the base comprises a threaded bore in the lower wedge plateassembly generally transverse to the axis of the vertical adjustmentscrew, a horizontal adjustment screw threadably engaging the lower wedgeplate assembly bore, and means precluding axial movement of thehorizontal adjustment screw relative to the base so that rotation of thehorizontal adjustment screw moves the carriage horizontally on the basein a direction generally transverse to the axis of the verticaladjustment screw. This arrangement provides fine adjustment of thecarriage horizontally with respect to the base.

According to a further feature of the invention, the mounting meansfurther includes means defining transverse confronting surfaces on thebase and on the lower wedge plate assembly and bearing means interposedbetween the confronting surfaces. This arrangement provides ease ofmovement of the carriage on the base.

According to a further feature of the invention, the bearing meansincludes a pair of linear roller bearings disposed one on each side ofthe horizontal adjustment screw. This specific bearing arrangementfurther facilitates the easy horizontal movement of the carriage on thebase.

According to a further feature of the invention, the base assemblyfurther includes a knob secured to each end of the vertical adjustmentscrew and a knob secured to each end of the horizontal adjustment screw.With this arrangement, the screws may be manually rotated to raise andlower the upper wedge plate assembly and move the carriage horizontallyon the base so as to manually achieve a fine precision verticaladjustment and a fine precision horizontal adjustment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable base assembly according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention base assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention base assembly with certainelements removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail view taken within the circle 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a thread block and adjuster screwsubassembly employed in the invention base assembly;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the invention base assembly;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the invention base assembly;

FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are perspective views respectively showing awedge block, a base assembly, a lower wedge plate assembly, and an upperwedge plate assembly ( shown inverted) utilized in the invention baseassembly;

FIG. 13 is a view of a vertical adjustment screw utilized in theinvention base assembly;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an end bracket employed in theinvention base assembly; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a knob assembly utilized in theinvention base assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention adjustable base assembly, broadly considered, includes abase assembly 10, a lower wedge plate assembly 12, bearing means in theform of a pair of linear assemblies 42 and 44; a horizontal adjustmentscrew assembly 16, an upper wedge plate assembly 18, a pair of wedgeblocks 20,21, and a vertical adjustment screw assembly 22.

All of the element of the invention base assembly, unless otherwiseindicated, are formed of a suitable steel material.

Base assembly 10 includes a base plate 24, bushings 26, and lock screws28.

Base plate 24 is generally rectangular and includes a raised centralmain body portion 24a defining a central, rectangular upwardly openingrecess or pocket 24b, end portions 24c on opposite sides of raised mainbody portion 24a, transverse ledges 24d defined at opposite sides of themain body portion and raised slightly from the level of end portions24c, and aligned transverse bores 24e extending through main bodyportion 24a and opening in recess 24b. Bushings 26 are formed of asuitable bronze material and are positioned in respective bores 24e.Lock screws 28 are threadably and centrally received in the opposite endedge faces 24f of the base plate.

Lower wedge plate assembly 12 includes a lower wedge plate 30, keys 32,a thread block 34, and end brackets 36.

Lower wedge plate 30 includes an upper surface 30a defining a pair ofupwardly converging wedge faces 30b converging at apex 30c; upstandingside skirt portions 30d; end faces 30e; a central cut-out 30f opening inthe lower face 30g of the plate; a pair of transverse ledges 30h onopposite sides of the cut-out 30f; a plurality of keyways 30i formed inthe inner face of each skirt 30d proximate each wedge face 30b andextending parallel in each case to the associated wedge face; and acentral arcuate cut-out 30j formed on the longitudinal centerline of theplate at the apex 30c.

Keys 32 are sized to fit snugly within keyways 30i and are suitablysecured as by fasteners within the respective keyways.

Thread block 34 has a rectangular, monolithic configuration and ispositioned in a recess or pocket 30k formed in the undersurface of lowerwedge plate 30 within cut-out 30f. Thread block 34 includes a threadedtransverse through bore 34a and is suitably secured to wedge plate 30 asby fasteners or the like.

Each end bracket 36 has an upstanding plate configuration and includes acentral vertical through slot 36a, a vertical guideway 36b on each sideof slot 36a, a pair of mounting holes 36c positioned respectively belowguideways 36b, and a horizontal through slot 36d proximate the lower endof the bracket. Each end bracket 36 is secured to a respective end face30e of the lower wedge plate 30 with screws 40 passing through holes 36cfor threaded engagement with threaded bores 30c in the respective endface 30e to mount each bracket in upstanding fashion on a respective endof the lower wedge plate.

Each bearing 42,44 assembly comprises a way 46 secured to a ledge 24d ofbase plate 24 as by fasteners or the like, a way 48 secured to a ledge30h of lower wedge plate 30 as by fasteners or the like, a cage 50interposed between the ways, and a plurality of cylindrical rollers 51riding in confronting grooves 46a,48a defined at the confronting facesof the ways 46,48 so as to mount the lower wedge plate assembly 30 forhorizontal sliding movement on the base plate 24 in a directiongenerally transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the base platewith the thread block 34 slidably positioned within recess 24b of thebase plate.

Horizontal adjustment screw assembly 16 includes a screw 52 and a pairof knobs 54 fixedly secured to the opposite ends of the screw. Screw 52includes smooth shank portions 52a proximate each end of the screwjournalled in respective bushings 26, and a threaded central portion 52bpassing through threaded transverse bore 34a of wedge block 34.

Each knob 54 includes a hub portion 54a fixedly secured to a respectiveend of the screw and a knob portion 54b for grasping by the user. Eachhub portion 54a is positioned flush against the respective side face 24gof the base plate so as to preclude the screw from axial movementrelative to the base plate so that rotation of the screw 52 by suitablemanipulation of either or both of the knobs 54 results in transversemovement of the thread block 34, and thereby the lower wedge plateassembly 12, relative to the base plate with the extent of transversemovement of the wedge plate assembly relative to the base plate beingdelimited and determined by engagement of the respective side faces 34bof the thread block with the respective side surfaces 24h of the recess24b in the base plate.

Upper wedge plate assembly 18 includes an upper wedge plate 60 and aplurality of keys 62.

Upper wedge plate 60 includes a lower surface 60a defining a pair ofdownwardly converging wedge faces 60b converging at an apex 60c; skirtportions 60d at either side of lower surface 60a; end edges 60e; anupper platform surface 60f; a plurality of keyways 60g provided on theinner face 60h of each skirt portion 60d in association with eachdownwardly converging face 60b and extending parallel to the respectivedownwardly converging face 60b; and a central arcuate cutout 60h formedon the longitudinal center line of the plate at the apex 60c. Keys 62are sized to fit in keyways 60g and are suitably secured within thekeyways as for example by fasteners.

Each wedge block 20,21 includes a relatively large vertical end face20a,21a, a relatively small vertical end face 20b,21b, side faces20c,21c, and converging upper and lower wedge faces 20d,21d, and20e,21e. Wedge faces 20d,21d and 20e,21e are inclined from thehorizontal at an angle equal to the angle of inclination of the wedgefaces 30b and 60b of the lower and upper wedge plates. An upper groove20f,21f is provided on each side face 20c,21c proximate to and extendingparallel to upper wedge face 20d,21d, and a lower groove 20g,21g isprovided on each side face 20c,21c proximate to and extending parallelto lower wedge face 20e,21e. Grooves 20f,21f and 20g,21g are sized toslidably receive keys 62 and 32 respectively.

Wedge block 20 includes a through longitudinal left threaded bore 20hand wedge block 21 includes a through longitudinal right threaded bore21h.

Wedge blocks 20,21 have a width corresponding to the distance betweenthe inner faces of skirts 30d and skirts 60d so that the wedge blocksfit snugly between the skirts 30d and 60d.

Vertical adjustment screw assembly 22 includes a screw 70 and a pair ofknobs 72.

Screw 70 includes smooth end portions 70a, a left threaded portion 70b,a right threaded portion 70c, and a smooth portion 70d intermediate theleft and right threaded portions.

Each knob 72 includes a hub portion 72a adapted to be fitted over arespective end 70a of screw 70 and fixedly secured thereto and a knobportion 72b. Each knob portion 72b includes a pair of diagonally opposedthreaded bores 72c each threadably receiving a threaded stop rod 76.Each stop rod 76 is locked to the knob 72 by a nut 78 and includes acollar 76a and a smooth end portion 76b sized to fit slidably in arespective groove 36b in a respective end plate 36.

In the assembled relation of the parts, lower wedge plate 30 ispositioned on base plate 24 with linear roller bearings 42 and 44coacting to provide low resistance lateral horizontal movement of thelower wedge plate relative to the base plate in a direction generallytransverse to the central axis of the base plate; horizontal adjustmentscrew 52 passes threadably through the threaded bore in thread block 34with the hub portions 54a of the respective knobs 54 positioned flushagainst the respective side faces 24g of the base plate to precludeaxial movement of the screw 52 relative to the base plate so thatrotation of the screw 52 in response to manipulation of either or bothof knobs 54 moves thread block 34 and thereby lower wedge plate 30horizontally with respect to the base plate in a left or right directiondepending upon the direction of rotation of the screw; wedge blocks 20and 21 are positioned with their lower wedge faces 20e,21e in slidingengagement with a respective wedge face 30b of lower wedge plate 30 andwith keys 32 slidably disposed in lower grooves 20g,21g; upper wedgeplate 60 is positioned over the wedge blocks with the wedge faces 60b inrespective sliding engagement with the upper wedge faces 20d,21d of thewedge blocks and with the keys 62 slidably received in the upper grooves20f,21f of the wedge blocks; and vertical adjustment screw 70 passesthrough vertical slots 36a in the respective end plates 36 and throughwedge blocks 20 and 21 with left-hand threaded portions 70b threadablyengaging the left threaded bore 20h of wedge block 20 and the rightthreaded portion 70c engaging the right threaded bore 21h of wedge block21 and the central portion 70d of the screw accommodated by the arcuatecutouts 30j and 60h in the lower and upper wedge plates.

The upper wedge plate assembly, lower wedge plate assembly, and wedgeblocks will be seen to constitute a carriage which may be movedselectively horizontally on the base plate 24 by-selective rotation ofhorizontal adjustment screw 52 by manipulation of either or both knobs54 with the movement of the carriage on the base plate being facilitatedby the low friction bearing interfaces provided by linear bearings 42and 44. Further, the vertical position of upper wedge plate assembly 60relative to the lower wedge plate assembly may be selectively adjustedby selective rotation of vertical adjustment screw 70 in response tomanipulation of either or both knobs 72. As the screw 70 is rotated itwill be seen that the wedge blocks 20 and 21 are moved toward each otheror away from each other depending upon the direction of rotation of thescrew, with movement of the wedge blocks toward each other resulting inraising of the platform surface 60f of the upper wedge plate andmovement of the wedge blocks away from each other resulting ill loweringof the upper surface 60f of the upper wedge plate. It will be understoodthat, in use, a fabricating tool such as a punch or metal-forming toolis positioned on the platform surface 60f so that selective rotation ofscrews 52 and 70 selectively adjusts the horizontal and verticalposition of the tool supported on the platform surface 60f. If desired,an adaptor plate 80, seen in dashed lines in FIG. 2, may be positionedon the upper wedge plate to provide a larger area platform for mountingof the associated fabricating tool.

Lock screws 28 are loosened prior to making a horizontal adjustment ofthe carriage relative to the base plate and are tightened following theadjustment to lock the carriage in its adjusted horizontal position and,similarly, stop bars 76 are threadably withdrawn from engagement withslots 36b in the end plates prior to making a vertical adjustment andthe stop bars are threadably advanced following the adjustment to movethe forward portions 76b of the stop bars back into coaction with slots36b and thereby lock the assembly in its position of verticaladjustment.

The invention will be seen to provide a simple and effective assembly toreadily and precisely adjust the position of an associated fabricatingtool. Specifically, the coaction of the threads of the horizontaladjustment screw 52 with the threads of the thread block 34, incombination with the low friction bearing interfaces provided by thelinear bearings 42,44 allows the carriage defined by the upper wedgeplate assembly, lower wedge plate assembly, and wedge blocks to be movedeasily and readily horizontally relative to the base plate in responseto operator manipulation of knob 72, and the extremely large mechanicaladvantage provided by the combined screw coaction between the screw 70and the wedge blocks and the wedge coaction between the upper and lowerwedge faces of the wedge blocks and the wedge faces of the upper andlower wedge plates allows an extremely heavy fabricating tool to bereadily adjusted vertically by manual manipulation of knobs 72.

Whereas a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it will be apparent that various changes may bemade in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. An adjustable base assembly comprising:a generally planarhorizontal base including end faces, a raised central portion betweensaid end faces defining vertically oriented transversely extendingsurfaces facing outboard toward said end faces and positioned inboard ofthe respective end faces, and a pocket opening in the raised centralportion; a carriage positioned on the base and including: a lower ..wedge.!. plate . .assembly.!. having end faces, an upper surface ..defining a pair of upwardly converging wedge faces.!. .Iadd.extending.Iaddend.between the end faces, .Iadd.and .Iaddend.a lower surfacedefining vertically oriented transversely extending surfaces facinginboard and positioned inboard of the respective lower . .wedge.!. plate. .assembly.!. end faces and respectively confronting said transverselyextending surfaces on the base. ., and.!. .Iadd.; .Iaddend. a threadedblock extending downwardly from the lower surface of the lower ..wedge.!. plate . .assembly,.!. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.including atransversely extending threaded through bore, . .and.!. .Iadd.saidthreaded block being .Iaddend.received in said pocket; an upper ..wedge.!. plate . .assembly.!. having .Iadd.end faces and .Iaddend.alower surface . .defining a pair of downwardly converging wedge faces.!..Iadd.extending between the upper plate end faces.Iaddend.; .Iadd.atleast one of said lower plate and said upper plate being a wedge plate,said wedge plate comprising a pair of converging wedge surfaces betweenthe respective end faces; .Iaddend. a pair of wedge blocks . .eachhaving.!. .Iadd.positioned between and in sliding engagement with theupper and lower plates, said wedge blocks coacting to define a pair of.Iaddend.converging . .upper and lower.!. wedge faces in respectivesliding engagement with . .one of.!. said . .upwardly.!. .Iadd.pair of.Iaddend.converging wedge . .faces and one of said downwardly convergingwedge faces.!. .Iadd.surfaces.Iaddend.; a left threaded bore in one ofsaid wedge blocks. .,.!. .Iadd.; .Iaddend. a right threaded bore in theother of said wedge blocks. .,.!. .Iadd.; .Iaddend. a verticaladjustment screw passing through said wedge block bores and having leftand right threaded portions in respective threaded engagement with saidleft and right threaded bores. .,.!. .Iadd.; .Iaddend. means mountingthe opposite ends of said vertical adjustment screw on said lower ..wedge.!.plate . .assembly.!. and operative to preclude axial movementof said vertical adjustment screw relative to said lower . .wedge.!.plate . .assembly.!. so that rotation of said vertical adjustment screwmoves said wedge blocks toward and away from each other to raise andlower the upper . .wedge.!. plate . .assembly.!. relative to the lower ..wedge.!. plate . .assembly.!.; a horizontal adjustment screw extendingthrough side walls of said raised central base portion, into said pocketand through said threaded bore of said threaded block; and bearing meansinterposed between said confronting surfaces so that rotation of saidhorizontal adjustment screw moves said carriage transversely on saidbase.
 2. The base assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bearingmeans includes at least one linear roller bearing disposed between saidconfronting surfaces.
 3. The base assembly according to claim 2 whereinsaid base assembly further includes a knob secured to each end of saidvertical adjustment screw and a knob secured to each end of saidhorizonal adjustment screw so that said screws may be manually rotatedto raise and lower the upper . .wedge.!. plate . .assembly.!. and tomove the carriage horizontally on the base respectively.
 4. Anadjustable base assembly comprising:a lower . .wedge.!. plate assemblyhaving upwardly extending side walls and an upper surface . .defining apair of upwardly converging wedge faces.!. positioned between said sidewalls; an upper . .wedge.!. plate assembly having downwardly extendingside walls and a lower surface . .defining a pair of downwardlyconverging wedge faces.!. positioned between said side walls; .Iadd.atleast one of said lower plate assembly and said upper plate assemblybeing a wedge plate, and wherein the corresponding one of said upper andlower surfaces comprises a pair of converging wedge surfaces between therespective sidewalls; .Iaddend. a pair of wedge blocks . .each havingconverging upper.!. .Iadd.positioned between .Iaddend.and . .lower wedgefaces.!. in . .respective.!. sliding engagement with . .one of saidupwardly.!. .Iadd.the upper and lower plate assemblies, said wedgeblocks coacting to define a pair of .Iaddend.converging wedge faces ..and one of said downwardly.!. .Iadd.in respective sliding engagementwith said pair of .Iaddend.converging wedge . .faces.!..Iadd.surfaces.Iaddend., and each .Iadd.wedge block .Iaddend.having sidefaces in confronting relation to said upwardly extending side walls ofsaid lower . .wedge.!. plate assembly and said downwardly extending sidewalls of said upper . .wedge.!. plate assembly; a left threaded bore inone of said wedge blocks; a right threaded bore in the other of saidwedge blocks; a vertical adjustment screw passing through said bores,and having left and right threaded portions respectively threadedlyengaged with said left and right threaded bores; coacting keys andgrooves on the side faces of the wedge blocks and on the confrontingside walls of the . .wedge.!. plate assemblies; and means mounting theopposite ends of said vertical adjustment screw on said lower ..wedge.!. plate assembly and operative to preclude axial movement ofsaid vertical adjustment screw relative to said lower . .wedge.!. plateassembly so that rotation of said vertical adjustment screw moves saidwedge blocks toward and away from each other under the guidance of thecoacting keys and grooves to raise and lower the upper . .wedge.!. plateassembly relative to the lower . .wedge.!. plate assembly.
 5. The baseassembly according to claim 4 further including a generally planar baseand means for mounting the lower . .wedge.!. plate assembly forhorizontal movement on the base in a direction generally transverse to alongitudinal axis of the vertical adjustment screw.
 6. The base assemblyaccording to claim 5 wherein said mounting means comprises a threadedbore in said lower . .wedge.!. plate assembly extending generallytransverse to said longitudinal axis, a horizontal adjustment screwthreadably engaging said lower . .wedge.!. plate assembly bore, andmeans for precluding axial movement of said horizontal adjustment screwrelative to said base so that rotation of said horizontal adjustmentscrew moves said lower . .wedge.!. plate assembly horizontally on saidbase in a direction generally transverse to said longitudinal axis. 7.The base assembly according to claim 6 wherein said mounting meansfurther includes at least one pair of transverse confronting surfaces,said pair including a transverse surface on said base confronting atransverse surface on said lower . .wedge.!. plate assembly, and bearingmeans interposed between said pair of confronting surfaces.
 8. The baseassembly according to claim 7 wherein said bearing means includes atleast one linear roller bearing, wherein there are two pars of saidconfronting surfaces, one pair along with one of said bearing meansdisposed on each side of said horizontal adjustment screw.
 9. The baseassembly according to claim 8 wherein said base assembly furtherincludes a knob secured to each end of said vertical adjustment screwand a knob secured to each end of said horizontal adjustment screw sothat said screws may be manually rotated to raise and lower the upper ..wedge.!. plate assembly and to move the lower . .wedge.!. plateassembly horizontally on the base respectively. .Iadd.10. The baseassembly according to claim 1 wherein said one surface comprises saidlower surface of said upper plate assembly. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. The baseassembly according to claim 4 wherein said one surface comprises saidlower surface of said upper plate assembly. .Iaddend.